AO 2011 R32: Rafael Nadal (1) vs Bernard Tomic

Who wins?

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aldeayeah

aldeayeah

G.O.A.T.

newmark401 said:
From the "Brisbane Times":

I can bring down Nadal, says Tomic

Dream believer Bernard Tomic insists he can upstage history-chasing top seed Rafael Nadal in their third-round Australian Open blockbuster on Saturday night.

No Australian man in almost a decade has conquered a world No.1, but Tomic believes anything is possible after upsetting Spanish 31st seed Feliciano Lopez 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (7-3) 6-3 on Thursday to reach the last 32 of a grand slam event for the first time.

"I'm hitting the ball great, my confidence is up there, especially after two matches, I played a left-hander before I played him, that's always good," Tomic said.

Advertisement: Story continues below "There's not much weaknesses (in his game but) I don't think he'll like my game.

"He'll like the players that give him a lot of time, a lot of rally shots. The way I mix it up, he's not going to like."

Not since Mark Philippoussis shot down Andre Agassi in the fourth round at Wimbledon en route to the 2003 final at the All England Club has an Australian brought down the men's world No.1.

But while Philippoussis was already a grand slam finalist and accomplished grasscourt exponent, Tomic will enter his clash with Nadal as an 18-year-old wildcard ranked 198 places behind the reigning French Open, Wimbledon and US Open champion.

Nadal has won his past 23 grand slam matches and is bidding to become the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to hold all four major titles simultaneously.

Tomic, though, is undeterred and earnestly believes he can stop the Spanish juggernaut.

"Oh, I believe so," Tomic said.

"I mean, it's an opportunity that I get. He's the world No.1. I'll just have a go.

"When you step out against a player like that, you don't have nothing to lose.

"But I'm not going to go and win this match if I go out there and play not to lose. I've got to play to win."

Nadal will enter the marquee match-up a raging favourite but, carrying all the pressure, Nadal is nevertheless on guard.

"He's very young, he's playing well I think, he has a very very good future ... hopefully not for the next round," Nadal said after trouncing American qualifier Ryan Sweeting 6-2 6-1 6-1 in his second-round encounter.

Nadal said a prime-time showdown with Tomic on Rod Laver Arena would be a nice occasion and recalled his days as a teenager himself taking on dual grand slam winner Lleyton Hewitt in Melbourne.

"I remember when I was here when I was 16, 17, I played against Lleyton (twice and lost both times). If you win, it's unbelievable. If not, it's OK," he said.

Even if he loses against Nadal, Tomic is guaranteed a rankings rise of about 20 spots from his current career-high place just inside the world's top 200.

The teenager's landmark win over Lopez - a two-time Wimbledon quarter-finalist and Queen's Club victor over Nadal last year - more than made up for fellow Australian Alicia Molik's 6-4 6-1 second-round loss to women's 13th seed Nadia Petrova.
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Discuss.
 
I was very impressed by Tomic, he certainly improved from the first round to the next. He took down Feli, and seems confident. While Rafa bums around at the aquarium today, homeboy will be out practicing. Rafa is no Feli, but Tomic sure will play like he has nothing to lose, should be interesting.
 
"There's not much weaknesses (in his game but) I don't think he'll like my game.
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Well, if one goes by what most posters say here, not many people like his game, so Nadal will just have to stand in line.

Them fighting words. Fine with me, the field is syrupy as it is. We need another angry cocky youngling after Djoker toned it down, and look what it did to his game. Let's bring in the "a Tomic" pun-house.
 
The thing is if Nadal would play the worst set ever he might loose 6-4 and then get really angry and win the next three 6-1 6-2 6-2.
So no matter how good Tomic would play there is 0 chance he will take three sets of Nadal.
Betting on anything but a Nadal win would be ridiculous.3 sets probably something like 6-2 6-3 6-3 is a realistic bet
 
iriraz said:
The thing is if Nadal would play the worst set ever he might loose 6-4 and then get really angry and win the next three 6-1 6-2 6-2.
So no matter how good Tomic would play there is 0 chance he will take three sets of Nadal.
Betting on anything but a Nadal win would be ridiculous.3 sets probably something like 6-2 6-3 6-3 is a realistic bet
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This.
If all else fails, I will pray for a bad call by the umpire, and then crazy bull will emerge and opponent will go buh bye! At least it's a night session, so Tomic won't be wearing his ridiculous sunglasses. :lol:
 
Don't think Tomic stands a chance but refreshing attitude from him. We need more of Tomic kind of guys and less of Andy 'I don't mind losing 8 finals to Federer' Roddick kind of losers with such a poor attitude & self-belief!

For just bringing this kind of attitude, I hope Tomic wins a set or 2! :)
 
Tomic mostly has it, but it's not rally shots vs. not rally shots, because murray, simon, seppi play a lot rally shots. Nadal has more trouble when guys can step into the court on hard courts and take control of points when the opportunities are there. That's partly how seppi, simon, murray have gotten to nadal on hard courts. That's also why monfils was able to win that early season match in 2009 doha, but that's not the normal game for monfils and so nadal just runs monfils from side to side with no fear in most matches.

Tomic doesn't seem like he can do that, he still wins with placement and touch, a soft form of control and nadal is too quick and strong off both sides to have that bother him. It won't be as bad as the last time he faced santoro because tomic can hit a deeper ball but nadal will probably win in 3.
 
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I'll be impressed if Tomic can take 3-4 games per set, something like 6-4 6-2 6-3 would impress me. If he somehow managed to take a set, I would say his progression has significantly improved.
 
kiteboard said:
Tomic is cokkky without having much reason to be.
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I agree, though believing he's got a chance isn't a bad thing. I think Tomic complains way too much, but his mentality and belief in himself are probably the only real 'weapons' that brought him to the top 200 in the first place.
 
Tomic has a great serve, excellent groundstrokes, plays very well at the net, is extremely tough mentally.

Nadal in 3.

Anything more than 5 games in a set and I'll be like
images
 
I hope Bernard takes a set off of Rafa. That would be good for him. I also think (can't believe I'm saying this) that we ought to just advance Rafa to the final and have everyone else fight to play him.
 
CCNM said:
I hope Bernard takes a set off of Rafa. That would be good for him. I also think (can't believe I'm saying this) that we ought to just advance Rafa to the final and have everyone else fight to play him.
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Are you surprised at how big a **** you are?
 
Finally someone with balls plays Nadal, unlike Chokedasco and the other Spanish who bend over for Nadal. I really hope Tomic takes this
 
CCNM said:
I hope Bernard takes a set off of Rafa. That would be good for him. I also think (can't believe I'm saying this) that we ought to just advance Rafa to the final and have everyone else fight to play him.
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Yeah true, cause beating Cilic/Isner, Sod and Murray is a given for Rafa :)
 
T1000 said:
Finally someone with balls plays Nadal, unlike Chokedasco and the other Spanish who bend over for Nadal. I really hope Tomic takes this
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Ferrer bends over for Nadal? Didn't he take Nadal out in USO 2007?
Didn't dasco almost take Nadal out in AO 2009?
Didn't robredo have 5 MP against Nadal last year? Unless you think he got to that point just to bend over.


Also, two of Nadal's ten losses last year were to spaniards, GGL in Bangkok and Lopez in Queens. Funny how that is.

Also funny is how people keep bending Verdasco's words almost one year later. Dude said he doesn't believe he can win against Nadal ON CLAY.
 
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ksbh said:
Don't think Tomic stands a chance but refreshing attitude from him. We need more of Tomic kind of guys and less of Andy 'I don't mind losing 8 finals to Federer' Roddick kind of losers with such a poor attitude & self-belief!

For just bringing this kind of attitude, I hope Tomic wins a set or 2! :)
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Yeah Roddick that loser, only pushed Federer to 14-16 in the fifth set of a Wimbledon final.
 
lol another JOKE player for nadal. the draw has been kind to him is all i can say. the fact that tomic believes he can beat nadal is quite hysterical. nadal will completely expose how bad this overhyped kids movement really is.
 
I had to tape yesterdays match and still haven't watched but I a looking forward to Tomic. A good test for Rafa bring it on!
 
T1000 said:
Finally someone with balls plays Nadal, unlike Chokedasco and the other Spanish who bend over for Nadal. I really hope Tomic takes this
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I don't think Tomic will hurt Nadal that much but I am happy it wont be bending Spaniard at least.
 
It's good to be cocky against the big guns, half the battle is actually believing you can win and at least Tomic believes (even though it might be foolish belief).

Nadal in 4 sets.
 
I would be amazed if Tomic even wins a set. It is exciting to see him making his move but he isnt ready for something like this yet I dont think.
 
namelessone said:
Ferrer bends over for Nadal? Didn't he take Nadal out in USO 2007?
Didn't dasco almost take Nadal out in AO 2009?
Didn't robredo have 5 MP against Nadal last year? Unless you think he got to that point just to bend over.


Also, two of Nadal's ten losses last year were to spaniards, GGL in Bangkok and Lopez in Queens. Funny how that is.

Also funny is how people keep bending Verdasco's words almost one year later. Dude said he doesn't believe he can win against Nadal ON CLAY.
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None of those things happened in the real world. You know, Terminator land. :)
 
The only Spaniard who is an outside threat to Nadal is Ferrer. The wins of Lopez and Garcia Lopez especialy were one time flukes. Verdasco has neither the mentality nor ability to be any threat to Nadal, if he couldnt beat him at the 09 AO he never will. And Robredo can close to beating Nadal during the lowest point of Nadal's career, and still couldnt, so he too never will.
 
I don't mind Tomic coming into this match in this frame of mind. It's the only way he'll be able to compete against Nadal. But a lot of this unnecessary hype is due to the Aussie press. Which Tomic should not buy into. I picked Nadal in 3 tight sets. 6-4, 7-5, 6-4.
 
The cool thing about this kid is that he is not intimidated by anyone. Not even one bit.

Call him cocky - whatever. He believes he can win.
 
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